Abstract: The present disclosure relates to folding methods and apparatuses that operate to fold an advancing substrate in the cross direction along a central region to bring a second end region into a facing relationship with a first end region. In some embodiments, the second end region of the advancing substrate is folded around a folding axis 180° to bring the second end region into a facing relationship with the first end region. The folding axis may also be defined by an arc extending in the machine direction MD, wherein the second end region of the advancing substrate is helically folded toward the inside of the arc. A folding apparatus including a curved or arc-shaped folding axis may also be configured such the first and second web paths have substantially equal lengths.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to folding methods and apparatuses that operate to fold an advancing substrate in the cross direction along a central region to bring a second end region into a facing relationship with a first end region. In some embodiments, the second end region of the advancing substrate is folded around a folding axis 180° to bring the second end region into a facing relationship with the first end region. The folding axis may also be defined by an arc extending in the machine direction MD, wherein the second end region of the advancing substrate is helically folded toward the inside of the arc. A folding apparatus including a curved or arc-shaped folding axis may also be configured such the first and second web paths have substantially equal lengths.

Abstract: A device for the production of tubes or sections of tubes having at least one paper layer, from which paper bags can be manufactured, includes an unwinder device for unrolling at least one material web from a material web roll, a device for the provision of at least one edge region of each material web with glue, and a tube forming device via which the edge region provided with glue can be inverted onto, and attached to, a second edge region. The tubes or sections of tube can be provided with air-permeable channels in the device. The device for providing at least one edge area of each material web with glue has glue application valves, with at least two glue application valves being functionally assigned to each material web, and with noncontinuous glue tracks being produced with the glue application valves such that interruptions therein form the air-permeable channels.

Abstract: Methods for inserting a folded film into another folded film include combining the films without unfolding or folding either of the folded films. In particular, one or more implementations of a method of combining folded films involves directing a first folded film in a first direction and separating first and second halves of the first folded film. The method also involves directing a second folded film in a second direction generally perpendicular to the first direction. Additionally, the method involves inserting the second folded film between the first and second halves of the first folded film. Furthermore, the method involves redirecting the second folded film into the first direction while between the first and second halves of the first folded film.

Abstract: A container insert, and an apparatus and a method of producing the container insert. The container insert is formed as a deformable pouch adapted to be received in an interior of an associated container. The pouch has a closed lower end, an open upper end, and spaced apart sealed edges. The lower end of the pouch includes two leg portions. The pouch is manipulatable to generally conform to the interior of the contained and form a hollow interior space therein for receiving an object and providing a lining for the interior of the container. The apparatus and the method for producing the insert provides for a substantially automatic and continuous production of the insert from a roll of material.

Abstract: A plastic bag with a removable coupon section and a method for forming plastic bags with removable coupon sections is presented. The bag comprises a bag portion and a coupon portion. The coupon portion comprises two flaps. Each flap representing at least one coupon. The coupons are separable from the bag portion due to perforations. Where multiple coupons are contained on the same flap, the coupons may be separated from one another due to perforations. The flaps are either not joined to one another due to notching of the plastic film from which they are formed or are separable due to welded perforations. This enables the coupons the be individually removed without disturbing other coupons. In the method for making the plastic bags with a removable coupon section, a roll of plastic film is folded over onto itself and welded together. The initial weld forms the bottom of the bag portion. The coupon portion may be perforated to assist in the separation of the coupon from the bag portion.

Abstract: The invention is directed to method and system for folding pads. In one aspect, the system includes a conveyor for conveying a series of pads, one after another, to a folding station. A folding apparatus at the folding station folds each pad along said major axis as the pad is conveyed in a forward direction. The folding apparatus includes a hold-down member adapted to contact a center section of each pad extending generally parallel to said major axis as the pad is conveyed forward. The folding apparatus also includes a pair of folders on opposite sides of the hold-down member adapted to contact side sections of the pad on opposite sides of said major axis as the pad is fed forward and as it is held down by the hold-down member to fold the side sections of the pad to positions facing one another. The pads may be used as feminine protection pads.

Abstract: A device for producing container blanks from a material web having a plurality of tools supported by a rotary tool holder. The tool holder is on rotation arranged to move each tool along a working path along which each tool is engageable with the material web for joining of opposite wall portions of the material web along connecting portions, and a return path along which each tool is disengageable from the material web. Each tool is arranged to be moved together with the material web when the tool is moved along the working path and the tool holder acts as a deflector for the material web when this moves together with the respective tools along the working path. The present invention also relates to a corresponding method for producing container blanks.

Abstract: A system comprises alternative processing sections for use in the further processing of products. A separator, at which a transport section is divided into several alternative transport sections for the further processing of products in processing stages, is provided. A sensor, that detects the phasing of the products, is located upstream of the separator. A request from the sensor acts on a drive which actuates the separator through a control device. A further sensor, which detects the product phasing, is located on each of the at least two transport sections. This further sensor is connected to a drive for the processing stage served by respective ones of the separate transport sections. The drive of each such processing stage is controlled independently of the drive for the respective transport section by a suitable control unit which takes into consideration the detected product phasing for the associated transport section.

Abstract: Gussets are formed in longitudinal edges of a bag and result from two internal folds that are formed from a central line and connect, via connecting regions, the front face and rear face of the bag. At least one of the gussets has arrangements acting as a handle, and being continued, all the way along its length and at the regions of connection to the front and rear faces, by a part so shaped as to act as a sheath capable of receiving internally an element forming the handle.

Abstract: A packaging bag comprises a main bag body and a framework member. The main bag body is made of plastic film material through a main bag body formation process. The main bag body has an opening and a plurality of heat sealed portions. The framework member is disposed in the main bag body. The framework member is joined to the main bag body prior to completion of the main bag body formation process. The framework member is foldable/unfoldable together with the main bag body, to enable the framework member and the main bag body to be shifted between a generally flat collapsed state and an expanded state.

Abstract: A method for making a multi-compartment microwavable package having one or more open or closed compartments within the package, and method and apparatus for manufacturing the same, constructed by modification to existing vertical form, fill and seal packaging machines. The invention involves producing a multi-compartment bag having an internal permeable wall between compartments from a single sheet of flexible packaging film. A food product can be placed into the first compartment and steam pack can be placed into the second compartment.

Abstract: A sheet bending apparatus and a sheet postprocessing apparatus are provided for improving an alignment of recording sheets at the time of center-folding processing. A controller of the center-folding unit mounted in the sheet postprocessing apparatus performs: a first processing of making the upper side end aligning members approach a recording sheet in course of being conveyed into the sheet holding member a predetermined distance shorter than a predetermined approaching distance; a second processing of making the upper side end aligning members approach the recording sheet placed in the sheet holding member a remainder of the approaching distance; and a third processing of making the lower side end aligning members approach the recording sheet placed in the sheet holding member a predetermined approaching distance within a period when the second processing is performed.

Abstract: A device is provided which is usable to draw at least one web of material or at least one web strand, that includes several webs of material, into a folding apparatus. The folding apparatus includes at least an upper structure, at least one folding funnel and a cross cutting device for separating the web of material, which has been transported in the upper structure and folded on the folding funnel, into individual products. At least one guide rail is provided. A holding part with a guiding end of at least one web of material fixed thereto, is displaceably guided on a path of web travel of the web through the upper structure. At least one guide rail is provided along the folding funnel.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a first rotary disc, a plurality of folding plates mounted on a peripheral zone of the first rotary disc, a plurality of positive motion cams mounted on the peripheral zone of the first rotary disc so as to be interposed between the first rotary disc and the folding plates, a second rotary disc located on a side opposite to the first rotary disc and a plurality of auxiliary plates mounted on a peripheral zone of the second rotary disc. The folding plates and the auxiliary plates synchronously move into a contiguous diaper structure and simultaneously the guide arms move into a clearance between the guide blades so that opposite lateral zones of a crotch region may be held between the guide arms and the guide blades and thereby the crotch region may be tucked into the contiguous diaper structure.

Abstract: A former is provided for a web-producing or a web-processing machine. The former is structured with a porous material through which a fluid can pass. The porous material is positioned or located on at least one region of the former that is cooperating with a strip of material to be folded.

Abstract: An apparatus for folding ribbons tidily, particularly ribbons fed from a reel, comprising at least one support for supporting at least one first folding assembly and one second folding assembly on a main footing, and selective positioning pivots for arranging the folding assemblies with respect to the footing in respective mutually exclusive operating configurations, so as to allow the preset tidy folding of at least one ribbon according to the required processing needs.

Abstract: Here is disclosed a method and apparatus for folding a continuously fed in two. The web is folded along guide means defining a folding guide line with a fold angle gradually reduced. In the course of gradually reducing the fold angle, a plurality of guide rolls through are pressed against transversely opposite side edge portions of the web. Immediately before the stage on which the web is completely folded in two, there are provided detector means adapted to detect actual positions of the respective side edge portions and swing rolls located upstream of these detector means adapted to change a crossing angle of the web with respect to a machine direction. Actuators interposed between the detector means and the swing guide rolls cause the swing guide rolls to swing and thereby to move the side edge portions toward predetermined positions.

Abstract: Here is disclosed a method and apparatus for folding a continuously fed in two. The web is folded along guide means defining a folding guide line with a fold angle gradually reduced. In the course of gradually reducing the fold angle, a plurality of guide rolls through are pressed against transversely opposite side edge portions of the web. Immediately before the stage on which the web is completely folded in two, there are provided detector means adapted to detect actual positions of the respective side edge portions and swing rolls located upstream of these detector means adapted to change a crossing angle of the web with respect to a machine direction. Actuators interposed between the detector means and the swing guide rolls cause the swing guide rolls to swing and thereby to move the side edge portions toward predetermined positions.

Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus for folding a sheet bundle at a predetermined position includes paired rotating bodies for folding the sheet bundle having nip portions, a pressing device for pressing the predetermined position of the sheet bundle into the nip portions of the paired rotating bodies, and a device connected to the paired rotation bodies for providing rotation to the paired rotating bodies. A pulling force of the rotating bodies to pull the sheet bundle pressed into the nip portions of the rotating bodies has an amount which does not separate a sheet of the sheet bundle contacting the rotating bodies from the subsequent sheets in the sheet bundle when pulling the sheet bundle.

Abstract: A device and method is disclosed for creating at least two pockets in a keycard holder comprising the steps of, cutting a piece of paper across one length at an angle between 20 and 30 degrees to the width, such that the width is approximately 6 inches on one side and the length is approximately between 5.5 and 6.5 inches on one side, folding the said paper in half across its length, folding the right and left edges of the width along the length in to meet at a midline, folding the left side over the right side along the midline to make a rectangle of approximately 2 ¾ by 4 ¼ inches, to create a first and second pocket.

Abstract: A method of making a prefastened refastenable diaper or other undergarment includes the steps of forming a web of diaper material, cutting holes in the center of the web as precursor leg cutouts and, placing a fastening system divided between front and back waist sections onto each diaper section of the web to prepare inchoate diapers having their long axes in the cross machine direction of the web. Then the web is cut to define the web into individual diapers. The diapers are then folded in half at the crotch section, placing the fastening system section in lapping alignment and fastening the system together. The diapers are then removed by the leg holes to bundle and place the diapers in point of sale containers. The method lends itself to simple in-line process machinery for accomplishing the manufacture of the diapers.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method and apparatus for making a looped label and accumulating labels in a stack. An intermediate portion of the label is inserted into the nip of a pair of rotating rolls which fold or loop the label into two side-by-side or face-to-face label portions. The looped label is transported between the nip of a pair of pressing rolls which press or iron the label at the fold line while the label is stationary between the rolls to maintain the label in the folded condition. From there the label is passed into a stacker in which successively looped labels are stacked.

Abstract: A bulk bag or a liner for a bulk container is formed from a plurality of tubular blanks of flexible material so that each wall of the bag or liner has at least two layers of material. Desirably, many woven or plastic sheet materials suitable to make such bags or liners are available in elongate and circumferentially continuous tubular webs such that a plurality of liners or bags may be formed connected in end to end relation on an elongate web. In one form, a pair of gusseted tubular blanks are disposed between and sealed to a pair of overlying flat tubular blanks to define a liner or bag having two layers of material in each wall. In another form, a pair of tubular blanks are folded so that each tubular blank defines one flat panel and one gusseted panel and the tubular blanks are heat sealed along a pair of side edges of the liner or bag to also define a liner or bag having two layers of material in each wall.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved open mesh bag comprising an open, mesh-like fabric. The bag has a closed end formed by a fold in the fabric, an opposing end and longitudinal, heat-sealed side seams extending from the closed end to the opposing end. The bags are used for packaging articles for which visibility and/or breathability of the bag fabric are useful characteristics. In a preferred embodiment, the bags are also suited for manufacture and filling using high speed, automated equipment.

Abstract: Easily and securely gripped slip-resistant file folders including file pockets and hanging folders. The folders comprise a front flap having a top edge, a rear flap connected to the front flap by a folder bottom, the rear flap also having a top edge. A slip-resistant portion is disposed on at least one of the flaps near the top edge. Methods for producing the folders are also disclosed.

Abstract: A knife folder for folding a sheet material comprises a sheet-material feeder for feeding the sheet material in a first direction, a folder for folding said sheet material, and a sheet-material conveyer used for conveying the sheet material and comprising at least one pair of rotating conveying components whose axes of rotation are arranged in a second direction substantially at right angles to the first direction. The folder pushes the folded sheet material between the conveying components of the at least one pair of conveying components when it is at its folding position. The sheet material is advanced up to a stop. The folder comprises a knife extending in a third direction substantially at right angles to said first and said second direction. The sheet material can be conveyed in the third direction by actuating the conveying components.

Abstract: A semi rigid container comprising a plurality of generally rectangular side walls and a bottom wall attached to the bottom of each side wall. A plurality of flexible supporting frames are attached to each side wall to expand the container's open top and to brace the side walls into a free standing container for handy storage, transportation or disposal of refuse or other articles. A drawstring is provided along the top of the container for easy closure. The semi rigid container is made by attaching the flexible supporting frames to one or more sheets of flexible material, layering the sheet or sheets, and sealing the open margins of the layered sheet or sheets corresponding to the container's sides and bottom. The semi rigid container can be easily collapsed into a stack of side walls, then coiled into three adjacent loops and inserted into a storing receptacle.

Abstract: A novel food server and method of producing a food server is disclosed. The novel method includes moving a web of paper at a constant rate of speed, rotary perforating a plurality of lines on the moving web, using rotary timing belts to score at least two fold lines on the moving web, where the two fold lines define two glue flaps, rotary die-cutting the moving web to cut away portions of the paper adjacent the glue flaps, plow folding the moving web along the two fold lines defining the glue flaps, and applying glue to the moving web. After plow folding along the fold lines and applying the glue, the moving web is cross cut to form a blank having the glue flaps. Then, the blank is vacuum folded to cause portions of the blank to contact and adhere to the glue flaps, thereby forming the food server from the blank. The novel food server includes a first panel having two side flaps each defined by a score line, and a second panel having two side flaps each defined by a score line.

Abstract: A tubular blank of filter paper containing measured and separate quantities of tea, or a similar infusionable substance, is pleated and folded so as to obtain a bag with two envelopes by a method that includes the steps of advancing blanks singly and in succession along a feed direction tangential to an indexing wheel with radial grippers, taking up each blank in a position above three bearing elements ordered along the feed direction, forming a pleat in an intermediate portion of the blank, then pinching the two ends of the blank by use of movable pressure elements interacting with two of the bearing elements so as to prevent the escape of the contents from the envelopes while at the same time drawing the tubular blank toward the wheel to bring the two envelopes together and give the filter bag its final shape.

Abstract: In a bag making machine the longitudinal side edges and adjacent portions of an elongate plastic web, which is folded in half medially of its centerline, pass from a set of inlet rolls over and under, respectively, a pair of vertically spaced separating rolls before merging at a set of outlet rolls. The separating arms extend inwardly between the two separated portions of the web only part way toward the fold line, and are spaced apart exactly twice the depth of the gusset that is to be formed.

Abstract: A waste container liner and method of manufacture thereof are provided. The method involves the steps of flattening a continuous tubular web of pliable material to form two adjoining layers of material and then slitting one of the longitudinal edges of the flattened web. The adjoining layers are then sealed at regular intervals across their width and perforations are formed across the seals. The web is twice folded longitudinally prior to rolling and detachment of individual liners along the perforations. The waste container liner is made of a unitary piece of pliable material and includes two adjoining layers joined at a longitudinal edge. Each of the adjoining layers has a free longitudinal edge and is sealed at its lateral edge with the other adjoining layer.

Abstract: An expandable folder is provided which includes a front panel member, a rear panel member, and an expandable gusset which connects the panel members and forms the bottom and sides of the folder. Reinforcing means are provided upon critical or highly stressed locations to enhance the durability and useful life of the folder. Various types of reinforcement are provided about and, preferably, over the top of the gusset. The end portions of the gussets along the sides and, where applicable, the bottom, preferably have a width which is at least twice the width of the gusset folds. The outer surfaces of the inner front and rear panel members are also reinforced to strengthen the folder at least in the areas where the gusset is attached, and, for best results, on the entire outer surfaces of the panels.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for maintaining the confidentiality of information contained in a printed document is accomplished by enclosing the document in an envelope, or similar enclosure, before the document is discharged from the apparatus. The apparatus generally includes: a printer, which may be a facsimile machine, photocopier, or computer printer; a document positioner for positioning the document, so that the document may be enclosed in an envelope; and a document encloser, which encloses the document in the envelope so that the document may later be removed from the envelope for viewing only by the intended recipient. The functions and sequencing of the apparatus are controlled by a suitable control system. A label printer, for printing the name of the intended recipient on the envelope, or the other desired information, may also be included.

Abstract: An improved top opening, rectangular flexible bag for containing a stack of highly compressed flexible articles. The bag has front and back panels, two side panels and top and bottom panels, all of which are connected together to form an internal compartment for containing the stack under high compression. The stack is arranged within the bag in such a way that the side panels are under tension. The line of weakness defines the entire top portion of the bag which can be easily removed, thus exposing the entire contents of the bag for easy removal. The improvement to the bag is that the line of weakness is applied to the front and back panel of the bag simultaneously, thus providing perfect alignment of the lines of weakness where they intersect the side seals of the bag. The bag is further improved with a notch where the line of weakness intersects the side seal, thus significantly reducing the force to initiate the tear through the bead of plastic created by the side seal.

Abstract: A five-piece expanding pocket having front inner and outer panels secured to each other by cohesive glue, rear inner and outer panels secured thereof by cohesive glue, and a gusset having outer edge portions with cohesive glue and opposite sides thereof bonded between edge portions of the front and rear inner and outer panels which are bonded to each other. A fixture for assembling a five-piece expanding pocket including locating plates for retaining front and rear inner panels in a predetermined position, a positioning member for locating a gusset relative to the front and rear inner panels on the locating plates and permitting the gusset to be secured to cohesive glue on the front and rear inner panels, and the locating plates also permitting the locating of the front and rear outer panels relative to the front and rear inner panels, respectively.

Abstract: A reusable yard waste container has a four sided rectangular shell which is open at its top end and has a flat multi-layered bottom. Two opposed sides of the shell have medial fold lines which allow the container to be collapsed to a flat orientation where it can be folded into a small package for storage. Located on the sides normal to the folding sides are upper and lower handles which facilitate handling of the container when full and erecting it from its collapsed orientation. Pockets at the bottom of the container receive weights to prevent the container from blowing away when it is left after being emptied. Snaps permit the top of the container to be closed when it is full. The container is constructed by placing four inwardly facing folds in the side walls of an elongate hollow cylindrical shell to form a rectangular cross-section shell with two pair of opposed sides.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing bags that are rectangular when collapsed and which comprise two superimposed flat sides, sealed at the edges, and a handle member. The method comprises the steps of: laying out a web forming three parallel subordinate webs, one extending longitudinally in the middle and one on each lateral side thereof; folding two top flanks out of the middle subordinate web to create a handle-top portion; V-folding a center strip of the middle subordinate web to create a handle member; providing the handle member with a finger slot and with depressions that allow the middle part to be pulled apart along the handle member to form a gusset; bringing the two lateral subordinate webs together; and attaching the lateral subordinate webs together along seams to create bag edges and cutting off the bags along their edges.

Abstract: In the sealing of paper sheets, particularly envelopes, such as for example self-enveloping forms, by knurling of the edges to be joined together, the preliminary moistening of the same edges is provided, which leads to a seal tight closure or sealing.

Abstract: A readily removable apparatus for use with an envelope blank-forming machine for the forming of envelopes from those blanks. The apparatus comprises an adhesive sprayer for applying adhesive on one side of a side flap of the envelope blank. It also includes an air lifter to lift a leading edge of the blank into engagement with a buckle bar. A plow folds the side flaps over a rear portion of the envelope blank, and rollers press the adhesive-covered side of the side flaps onto a rear portion of the blank to form an envelope.

Abstract: A disposable or reusable and reclosable gussetted plastic bag capable of being compactly stored as a food container in freezers, yet capable of standing with an upright spout in a microwave oven for non-spill thawing and cooking of food contained in the bag. The bag is formed of two wing-shaped pouches on either side of the upright spout. The bag preferably has inner and outer skin layers of different heat sealing temperatures so that peripheral sealing is effected only with the inner skin layers, allowing the wing-shaped pouches to be formed out of a gussetted bottom without sealing of the outer skin layers of the gusset walls facing one another. Two pairs of relief seals are located adjacent each gusset joint at both edges of the bag. Each seal is positioned 45.degree. off the gusset joint and preferably has a radius shape. The heat seals are formed by applying heat adjacent each gusset joint with a hot bar or other heat sealing device following formation of the bag.

Abstract: A construction of filter sock which has a panel (1) with two leaves (2,3) of unequal width such that when folded along a foldline (4) the leaves form a double leaf panel with a projecting side (9). The side (9) is folded back along a second fold line (11) over the free side (6) of leaf (2). The sides (6,9) and leaf (2) are secured together by an overlock stitching (13) to form a tube (12). The invention provides a method of making the filter sock.

Abstract: A shaping device for a web of flexible film having projecting ports comprising a shaping plate having a slit, for receiving the film, and an opening for receiving the port. An adjustable member is provided for limiting the length of the slit. A member is also provided for guiding the port into the opening.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for high speed pouch or bag making from thin, extensible heat-sensitive thermoplastic film webs or multiple webs of paper, film and foil in which the seal pattern may be simple or complex sealing and in which the method is applied to a continuously moving web and sealing is achieved at temperatures below the softening temperatures of the film or the sealing interfaces. A method of forming an open pouch comprising the steps of continuously pulling an elongated web of pouch forming material at a constant speed along a pouch making path which extends continuously through a web coating station, a web collating station, an Electron Beam curing station and a web cutting station. A pattern of E.B.

Abstract: A method for forming a thermoplastic film handled bag comprising: forming a continuous collapsed thermoplastic tube having heat seal lines across the width of said tube at bag length intervals, longitudinally folding opposite sides of the heat sealed tube equally towards each other until they meet at a common center line, folding the structure once again in the same direction along said center line and removing eight film layers in one of the corner regions defined by a heat seal line and the spine of the common center line fold, the film removal yielding a bag mouth opening and single loop handles at near the opposite ends of said bag mouth opening. Interconnected bags can be formed into a roll pack or individually severed bags can be unitized into a bag pack.

Abstract: A convertible beach blanket may be easily converted into a tote bag having a number of internal compartments by folding in a first then a second direction and pulling on a cord confined to a portion of the blanket by a series of eyelets formed in a circular configuration.

Abstract: A hang bag comprises a body portion 1 and a hanger portion 2. The body portion 1 is formed of face and rear panels 3 and 4 of shrinkable film sealingly joined together at the end 6, for instance by folding. It may be a double-side weld bag. The hanger portion 2 comprises (a) face and rear layers 10 and 11 of heat shrinkable film laminated or otherwise securely extending from, respectively, the face and rear panels 3 and 4 and (b) non-shrink film reinforcing material laminated between the layers 10 and 11, and the hanger portion (2) is provided, or capable of being provided, with a perforation 13 by which the bag may be hung from a peg. Generally all laminated surfaces are corona treated in order to improve lamination.

Abstract: In a process of making T-shirt bags a flat tubular film that is provided on each side with at least one gusset is provided with top end seam welds, which close the gusset portions to form handle loops, and with cutouts, which are similar to the neckline of a T-shirt and extend through the inner creases of the side gussets, and the tubing is then folded on itself about its longitudinal center line and is thereafter formed at its bottom end with seam welds, which join all plies, and is formed between adjacent top end and bottom end seam welds with transverse perforation lines or with hot wire-welded joints to separate adjacent bags from each other. Before the folding of the tubular film on itself about its longitudinal center line those portions of the tubular film which are subsequently provided with the top end seam welds are provided with layers of a release agent which extend across the web and prevent a welding of the web.

Abstract: A form, fill and seal apparatus for producing flexible containers having fitments located at one end of the container. The invention provides a former for folding into a tubular shape a substantially flat web of film with attached fitments. The former includes a substantially V-shaped member, an elongated member secured to the V-shaped member, and a U-shaped member. The V-shaped member, elongated member, the U-shaped member cooperate to fold the substantially flat web of film to bring opposite longitudinal portions thereof into aligned relationship.

Abstract: A currency dispenser packet for facilitating the sale of prepackaged foreign currency at a retail outlet includes an envelope containing a preselected quantity of a currency of a foreign country. The envelope is imprinted with a machine-readable code identifying the contents of the envelope as well as the identity of the seller. The code on the envelope is scanned or "read" at the point of sales and the read data is transmitted to a central station processor at which current foreign currency exchange rates are maintained. The processor computes the cost of the foreign currency in U.S. dollars or currency of purchase as well as the applicable commissions and transmits this information to the point-of-sale location. The packet thus allows foreign currency to be sold at locations dealing with travelers such as travel agencies, airline ticket terminals, and other outlets where such sales have heretofore not been practical.